Machinery for driving tunnels, galleries or the like

ABSTRACT

Circular section tunnels are bored out by a stepped series of concentric longitudinally displaced boring heads mounted on separate units, the leading head being circular and of the smallest diameter and succeeding heads being annular and of progressively greater external diameter, such that the total cross-sectional area of the series of heads is equal to the area of the tunnel working face. Each boring head is mounted on a separate frame and is readily interchangeable, the frame clamping and advancing means and the boring heads for each unit being independently hydraulically or electrically driven and controlled from a common power supply and control unit, allowing wide flexibility of operation of the unit. The frame of each successive unit is guided through the tunnel section bored out by the immediately preceding unit and the larger diameter boring head of such unit is located in the rear thereof. With the most usual arrangement of such tunnel boring machines consisting of a leading unit and one follower unit, the mounting of the boring head of the follower unit in the rear portion thereof affords the advantage of most convenient disposal of the spoil.

united States Patent Steutmehl [54] MACHINERY FOR DRIVING TUNNELS,

GALLERIES OR THE LIKE [72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

Willi Steuimehl, Erkelenz, Germany Maschinen- Und Bohrgerate-FabrikAlfred Wirth & Co. K.G., Erkelenz, Germany 221 Filed: Feb. 12,1970

[21] Appl. No.: 10,714

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 961,295 6/1964 GreatBritain ..299/56Feb. 1, 1972 Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Attorney-Holman & Stern[57] ABSTRACT Circular section tunnels are bored out by a stepped seriesof concentric longitudinally displaced boring heads mounted on separateunits, the leading head being circular and of the smallest diameter andsucceeding heads being annular and of progressively greater externaldiameter, such that the total cross-sectional area of the series ofheads is equal to the area of the tunnel working face. Each boring headis mounted on a separate frame and is readily interchangeable, the frameclamping and advancing means and the boring heads for each unit beingindependently hydraulically or electrically driven and controlled from acommon power supply and control unit, allowing wide flexibility ofoperation of the unit. The frame of each successive unit is guidedthrough the tunnel section bored out by the immediately preceding unitand the larger diameter boring head of such unit is located in the rearthereof. With the most usual arrangement of such tunnel boring machinesconsisting of a leading unit and one follower unit, the mounting of theboring head of the follower unit in the rear portion thereof affords theadvantage of most convenient disposal of the spoil.

11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures FIG. 7

. IN VEN TOR WILLI STEUFMEHL 977-019 Mar:

Pmzmwrm 1m: 3,639,006

SHEET 2 UF 2 IN VEN TOR WILLI ST EUFMEHL MACHINERY FOR DRIVING TUNNELS,GALLERIES OR THE LIKE The invention relates to machinery for drivingtunnels, galleries or the like by the separate advancing of at least twomutually concentric circularly defined part cross sections, consistingof a main appliance for boring the cross-sectional part with thesmallest diameter and at least one additional appliance for boring theadjacent annular partial cross section, the apparatus being providedwith frames which can be independently secured to the working site andworking units with the necessary boring head relatively displaceablethereto.

The dividing up of the total final cross-sectional surface of a road orgallery to be worked into a plurality of partial cross sections and theboring out of these partial cross sections with the aid of machineryconsisting of a plurality of units is of advantage in many respects. Theequipment hitherto proposed for such a mode of working is still liableto encounter difficulties in practice in many respects and is subject tocertain defects. A disadvantage is that the part of the machineryserving to bore out an annular partial cross section is a relativelymassive piece of machinery, whose supporting and tensioning applicancesfor securing it to the sides of the gallery must be appropriatelydimensioned to the large diameter of the already widened out part of theroad or gallery. The spoil coming from the annular boring head of thismachinery has to be discharged rearwardly along the entire length of themachine. This can in some cases require special costly precautions.Further difficulties can arise owing to the difficult accessibility ofthe boring head and of the separate chisels or cutters of such boringmachinery, and particularly in the case of breakage of a tool.

The object of the invention is to overcome the existing drawbacks andinadequacies and to provide a machine, which is distinguished by aparticularly advantageous design of the followup or auxiliary applianceand to facilitate and improve the working procedure.

To this end the invention provides that the boring head of the auxiliaryappliance is located in the region of the rear end thereof and thatunder working conditions the frame of the auxiliary appliance is locatedin the portion of the tunnel bored out by the forward part of theappliance.

A number of substantial advantages result from such a design of themachinery. The spoil detached by the tool of the follower appliance cansimply drop down in the rear thereof and owing to the free spaceavailable can be removed much more simply than hitherto for whichpurpose it may be possible to use an enclosed conveyor belt or the like.Moreover the necessary finishing constructional work of the tunnel orroad can be started immediately in the rear of the machinery, a fact ofextreme importance particularly when working in material liable to rockfall. Moreover, the follower or auxiliary appliance together with themembers for securing it to the sides of the gallery can be of smalldimensions, which obviously has a favorable effect on the cost. Owing toits location at the rear end of the follower or auxiliary appliance thetool carrier with the various chisels or cutters is moreover readilyaccessible.

There is complete freedom with respect to the actual tool diameter inthe case of the follower or auxiliary appliance. This is of veryconsiderable importance, since the necessary gallery diameter at thevarious working faces is liable to considerable variation. Together withone and the same main appliance auxiliary appliances having tools ofdifferent sizes or different designs can be used at choice. Moreover,the invention contemplates the use of exchangeable or replaceable toolson the follower or auxiliary appliance. This can be done in aparticularly simple manner owing to the favorable arrangement of thetool. As tools there can be used for example, boring heads with cuttingrollers and with shovels for disposing ofthe comminuted rock or spoil.

An advantageous embodiment consists according to the invention in thatthe means for securing the follower or auxiliary appliance to the wallof the gallery are located in the forward part of the appliance.

According to a further feature of the invention radially adjustableguide clamps are provided on the working unit of the follower orauxiliary appliance in the region between the tool and the means forfixing it to the wall of the gallery. Such a design ensures not onlyaccurate guiding of the working unit of the follower appliance, but alsoin addition enables changes in direction to be made.

It is possible to equip each machine independently with the necessarydriving and control gear. According to a further feature of theinvention a particularly advantageous embodiment consists however inthat only a single driving or power supply group is present which may beconnected as required either only to the main appliance or to the mainand auxiliary applicances simultaneously. By this means thecircumstances governing the expenditure necessary for broad flexibilityof operation are rendered more favorable. The driving or power supplygroup can be attached to the main appliance. However it is preferable todesign it as a separate unit. It can then as the case may be, beattached to the end of the entire machinery, so that when working withthe main appliance alone it can be located behind it and when workingwith the main and auxiliary applicances it can be located behind thelatter. The operating platform also can be simultaneously mounted onthis group. In general the design of the power group depends upon thenature of the driving means provided for the machine. Hydrauliccylinders are preferably provided for securing the machinery to thegallery wall and for carrying out forward and rearward displacements.Electric motors or also hydraulic motors may be provided for themachinery for rotating the tools. It is also possible to use electricmotors for example for the tool driving mechanism in the one appliance,say in the main appliance, and to use hydraulic motors for the otherappliance. A suitable embodiment consists in the fact that the drivingor power supply group contains motor-driven hydraulic pumps to supplythe various user points and also the appropriate control devices such asvalves and the like. There need be no traction connection between themain appliance and the auxiliary appliance. Power supply lines only leadfrom the group to the two appliances.

In particular the group is so laid out and provided with correspondingcontrol devices, that during the operation of the tool of the auxiliaryappliance the main appliance can be further advanced simultaneously(loosening of the jaws or tensioning shield gripping the gallery wall,advancing of the machine and renewed securing thereof to the gallerywall). Valuable time can be saved by such a simultaneous performance ofdifferent operations, which would otherwise appear as lost time. It ismoreover also possible to carry out bor ing operations with bothapplicances simultaneously.

The drawing depicts an embodiment of the machinery according to theinvention by way of example in partial sectional elevation. FIG. 2 beingthe continuation of FIG. 1.

The machinery shown comprises a main appliance A, an auxiliary applianceB and a driving or power supply group C. The main appliance has a frameI, which can be secured with the aid of supporting feet 2, whererequired to the side of the gallery. The supporting feet 2 are adjustedby means of hydraulic cylinders 3. The frame 1 can be designed forexample as a boxlike or cylindrical guide for the longitudinallydisplaceable working unit 5. At the forward end of the working unit 5,is located a holder for a boring head 11a provided with cutting rollers.The spoil from said boring head is collected by a shovel wheel 13 or thelike rotating with the boring head and is discharged onto a conveyorbelt 14, which carries it away.

The front and rear parts of the working unit are connected together bymeans of tie rods 9, Hydraulic cylinders 10 serve for forward movement,said cylinders being pivotably mounted on the one hand to the frame I ofthe machine and on the other hand being connected through theappropriate piston rods with the driving unit 5.

The reference numeral 8a indicates the driving motors for the boringhead 11a, which drive a spindle or shaft mounted in the interior of themachine and leading to the boring head holder through a transmissiongear.

The following auxiliary appliance B is provided with an annular frame 51and a working unit 52 with a tubular sleeve member 53 and a rearwardlydisposed holder ring 54 provided with bearings 55 for a boring headprovided with cutting rollcrs 56. On the frame 51 are mounted forexample four plates or feet 57, which can be adjusted radially with theaid of hydraulic cylinders 58 and serve for securing the appliance tothe wall ofthe gallery.

Hydraulic cylinders 59 are provided for the purpose of achieving forwarddisplacement, which are pivotally connected on the one hand to the frame51 on the other hand with their piston rods to the working unit 52.Slots 60 of a suitable length are disposed in the sleeve member 53,which allow the passage of the plates 57 and thereby servesimultaneously to prevent twisting. The working unit 52 contains fourfurther feet 61, which move along the side of the gallery during theboring operation and serve to guide the working unit. These feet areadjustable radially by means of hydraulic cylinders (not shown) by whichmeans an alteration in the direction of the auxiliary appliances is alsopossible.

For driving the boring head 56, four hydraulic motors 62 for example areused, the torque of which is transmitted via pinion 63 to an internalspur gearwheel linked with the bearing of the boring head.

There is a free space in the interior of the auxiliary appliance Bthrough which an operative can conveniently gain access to the mainappliance A. Moreover, the free space facilitates the disposal of thespoil. This passes from the conveyor belt 14 of the main appliance A viaa chute 64 onto a further conveyor belt 65 at the end of which it isdischarged on to a main conveyor belt 66. The spoil coming from theboring head 56 can also be carried away by means of the conveyor belt 66or also with the aid of transporter trucks or trackless conveyor means.

in the rear of the auxiliary appliance B, is the driving or power supplygroup C, which in this case takes the form of a truck travelling onrails 67. it contains hydraulic pumps with the appurtenant drivingmotors and other driving gear for supplying the power consuming units inthe main appliance A and the auxiliary appliance 8, thus inter alia forsupplying the hydraulic motors 62, and all the hydraulic cylinders ofthe auxiliary appliance and for supplying the hydraulic cylinders 3 andand also further cylinders of the main appliance A, serving for thesetting up and the adjustment of direction of the appliance. On thegroup C, there is also the operating platform having operating andcontrol devices 68, for the separate functioning of both appliances. Thevarious power-consuming points are linked with the group C, by flexibletubes or other lines, not shown in the drawing for the sake of clarity.

Such machinery permits the driving of a tunnel, galley or the like in anparticularly advantageous manner. it is also possible to operate themain appliance alone or to link it with auxiliary appliances ofdifferent dimensions and design. The tools can be interchangeable bothon the main appliances and also on the auxiliary appliance, so thataccount can be taken of all possible requirements.

All features mentioned in the foregoing description or illustrated inthe drawing are to be regarded so far as the known state of the artpermits, as being an essential part of the invention either alone oralso in combination, even if they are not expressly mentioned in theclaims.

lclaim:

l. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery comprising at least twolongitudinally spaced mutually concentric circular boring members thecombined cross sections of which occupy the whole tunnel cross section,the foremost member having the smallest diameter and further members inthe rear thereof being annulii of progressively greater externaldiameter, a separate framework being associated with each boring member,each framework being arranged to be secured by clamping meansindependently to the tunnel wall and to be independently axiallyoriented relatively thereto, boring heads being provided on each of saidboring members displaceable relative to said frames, each of said headson said further members being positioned at the end thereof in the rearof said clamping means and each frame of said further member beingadapted to be located during operation in the tunnel portion bored outby the immediately preceding member.

2. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery comprising two longitudinallyspaced mutually concentric circular boring members the combined crosssection of which occupy the whole tunnel cross section, the first memberhaving the smaller diameter while the second member has an annularboring surface of greater external diameter than the boring surface ofsaid first member, a separate framework being associated with each ofsaid boring members each framework being arranged to be secured byclamping means indepen dently to the tunnel wall and to be independentlyaxially oriented relatively thereto, boring heads being provided on eachof said boring members displaceable relatively to said frames, the headof said second member being positioned and the end thereof in the rearof said clamping means and the frame of said second member and beingadapted to be located rearwardly thereof during operation in the tunnelportion bored out by said first member.

3. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery as claimed in claim 2, in whichthe boring head on the second boring member is interchangeable.

4. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery as claimed in claim 2, in whichaxially spaced clamping plates for securing the boring member to theside of the tunnel wall are disposed forward of the boring head of saidsecond boring member.

5. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery as claimed in claim 2, in whichclamping means on the second boring member includes clamping plates forsliding contact with the tunnel wall and functioning as guides as themachinery moves forwardly during a boring operation.

6. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery as claimed in claim 8, in whichthe clamping plates are radially adjustable.

7. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery as claimed in claim 2, which isprovided with a driving and power supply unit adapted to be connected toat least either of the first and second boring members.

8. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery comprising at least twolongitudinally spaced, mutually concentric circular boring membershaving a combined cross section for forming the cross section of thetunnel being formed,

said boring members including a foremost member having the smallestdiameter and a further member in the rear thereof having an annulii ofthe greatest diameter; the improvement characterized by:

a separate framework associated with each of said boring members,

each of said frameworks including independent clamping means forindependent engagement with a tunnel wall being formed,

said frameworks including means for independent axial orientationrelative to the tunnel being bored,

said boring members including boring heads displaceabie relative to saidframes, the boring heads of said further member being located rearwardlyof said independent clamping means.

9. The structure as claimed in claim 8 in which the framework of saidfurther member comprises a tubular extension projecting axiallyforwardly of the further member, said clamping means being mounted onsaid tubular extension forwardly of said boring heads thereon.

10. The structure as claimed in claim 9 in which said clamping meanscomprise radially extendable, clamp plates for engagement in apreviously bored tunnel.

11. The structure as claimed in claim 10 in which said clamping meanscomprises a series of axially spaced, radially spaced units forwardly ofthe boring head of said further member.

1. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery comprising at least twolongitudinally spaced mutually concentric circular boring members thecombined cross sections of which occupy the whole tunnel cross section,the foremost member having the smallest diameter and further members inthe rear thereof being annulii of progressively greater externaldiameter, a separate framework being associated with each boring member,each framework being arranged to be secured by clamping meansindependently to the tunnel wall and to be independently axiallyoriented relatively thereto, boring heads being provided on each of saidboring members displaceable relative to said frames, each of said headson said further members being positioned at the end thereof in the rearof said clamping means and each frame of said further member beingadapted to be located during operation in the tunnel portion bored outby the immediately preceding member.
 2. Tunnel and gallery drivingmachinery comprising two longitudinally spaced mutually concentriccircular boring members the combined cross section of which occupy thewhole tunnel cross section, the first member having the smaller diameterwhile the second member has an annular boring surface of greaterexternal diameter than the boring surface of said first member, aseparate framework being associated with each of said boring memberseach framework being arranged to be secured by clamping meansindependently to the tunnel wall and to be independently axiallyoriented relatively thereto, boring heads being provided on each of saidboring members displaceable relatively to said frames, the head of saidsecond member being positioned and the end thereof in the rear of saidclamping means and the frame of said second member and being adapted tobe located rearwardly thereof during operation in the tunnel portionbored out by said first member.
 3. Tunnel and gallery driving machineryas claimed in claim 2, in which the boring head on the second boringmember is interchangeable.
 4. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery asclaimed in claim 2, in which axially spaced clamping plates for securingthe boring member tO the side of the tunnel wall are disposed forward ofthe boring head of said second boring member.
 5. Tunnel and gallerydriving machinery as claimed in claim 2, in which clamping means on thesecond boring member includes clamping plates for sliding contact withthe tunnel wall and functioning as guides as the machinery movesforwardly during a boring operation.
 6. Tunnel and gallery drivingmachinery as claimed in claim 8, in which the clamping plates areradially adjustable.
 7. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery as claimedin claim 2, which is provided with a driving and power supply unitadapted to be connected to at least either of the first and secondboring members.
 8. Tunnel and gallery driving machinery comprising atleast two longitudinally spaced, mutually concentric circular boringmembers having a combined cross section for forming the cross section ofthe tunnel being formed, said boring members including a foremost memberhaving the smallest diameter and a further member in the rear thereofhaving an annulii of the greatest diameter; the improvementcharacterized by: a separate framework associated with each of saidboring members, each of said frameworks including independent clampingmeans for independent engagement with a tunnel wall being formed, saidframeworks including means for independent axial orientation relative tothe tunnel being bored, said boring members including boring headsdisplaceable relative to said frames, the boring heads of said furthermember being located rearwardly of said independent clamping means. 9.The structure as claimed in claim 8 in which the framework of saidfurther member comprises a tubular extension projecting axiallyforwardly of the further member, said clamping means being mounted onsaid tubular extension forwardly of said boring heads thereon.
 10. Thestructure as claimed in claim 9 in which said clamping means compriseradially extendable, clamp plates for engagement in a previously boredtunnel.
 11. The structure as claimed in claim 10 in which said clampingmeans comprises a series of axially spaced, radially spaced unitsforwardly of the boring head of said further member.